Much like a car's engine that eventually won't run very well without motor oil, trying to do life without the anointing will make us powerless to do everything God created us to do. (Pixabay)

Romans 8:37 says that "we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him Who loved us" (AMP). This means that believers in Jesus are empowered by God to have victory over sin and the things in this world that try to keep us from living a godly life.

The question is: What's the key to living in God's power and actually becoming more than a conqueror? The anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing is God's ability in you to enable you to do something with ease that you could never do in your own effort or without a struggle. Much like a car's engine that eventually won't run very well without motor oil, trying to do life without the anointing will make us powerless to do everything God created us to do.

Every one of us has a calling on our life, a plan designed by God specifically for us. But not everyone fulfills their God-given purpose and plan. Many times, people get distracted by other pursuits, or they get overwhelmed by a task that feels too big to handle, or they may even get caught up trying to do what someone else is called to do. This is a problem because if we're not living in God's will for our lives, we'll end up being anxious, sad and miserable.

Whatever the reason is for getting off track, lack of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is most likely at the root of it. You see, the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He is the One who leads each person to the work they are called to do. And He also supplies the anointing, or power, to do it.

John 14:26 (AMP) says that the Holy Spirit is "the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby)" and "He will teach you all things." And John 16:7 (AMP) says He is sent "to be in close fellowship" with us.

So it's in our best interest to cultivate a personal, intimate relationship with God first and foremost. Because it's through a personal relationship with Him that He will, by His Holy Spirit, guide each of us according to His purpose and plan for our lives. And He will anoint, or enable us, to do what He has called each of us to do.

Make Yourself Available

The secret is taking time to get satisfied with God Himself. God's presence—His love and grace—is what we really need to be fulfilled and have His power in our lives. And when we take the time to cultivate our relationship with God—simply loving Him and being loved by Him—we become consecrated to Him.

advertisement

To be consecrated means to be set apart or separated for a purpose. It is a time when we receive discipline, guidance, wisdom and direction from the Lord. It's a personal time—between you and God—for you to learn His true character and how to trust His ways and wait on His timing. You will also learn how to make yourself available as He is ready to use you.

The Holy Spirit decides when and how to use His vessels. Our part is simple—to be available. It works like this: If I want a drink of water, I go to my cupboard for a clean, empty glass to use. The glass doesn't ask me what I'm going to put in it; it's just there, ready and available for me to use when I need it. But what if all the glasses are dirty or filled with something I don't want? Then I won't be able to use any of them as I planned.

So be like a clean, empty, available drinking glass. Your time "on the shelf," is simply time to prepare yourself, by building your relationship with God. Then you will be ready for the Holy Spirit to use you however and wherever He chooses.

Have Confidence in God's Power in You

Your part also includes realizing and understanding that you are anointed. Everyone is anointed for something, called to do something. 1 John 2:20 (AMP) says, "You have an anointing from the Holy One [you have been set apart, specially gifted and prepared by the Holy Spirit]..." Believe that! Look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I am anointed!"

It's very important to remember that we are anointed by the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as our Savior and become a new creation in Him (see 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21). Don't let yourself fall into the trap of trying to get something you already have. You are anointed.

The way to release and let that anointing flow in your life is simple: obedience to the Holy Spirit right now! Cultivate sensitivity to Him and learn to follow His leading every moment of your life. And whatever you're doing—whether you are working on a detailed report for your boss, preparing a Sunday sermon for church or making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for your kids—remember that you are anointed for this moment. Because the Holy Spirit is in you right now!

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times best-selling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Get Your Hopes Up! (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.

Your Turn

Please be considerate and respectful of your fellow posters. If Jesus and your mother would not approve of your writing, you should revise your comment before submitting.

Use standard writing style and punctuation. Complete sentences and proper grammar will help others understand you.

Do not use profanity, obscenities, abusive language or otherwise objectionable content (as determined by Charisma Media moderators, in their sole discretion). Comments should not harass, abuse or threaten another's personal safety or property, make false statements, defame or impersonate someone else.

Do not question others' faith just because you disagree with them. It adds nothing to the discussion and only causes strife.

Do not question why someone comes to this website just because they disagree with you or the content of the article.

Do not post personal information including phone numbers, email or mailing addresses, or credit card information belonging to you or others.

Do not include copyrighted content or other intellectual property that you do not own or have the explicit rights or lisenses to distribute.

Do not post, directly or through links, viruses, misleading, malicious or off-topic content.

Do not use our comments section to advertise your website(s). This includes fequently linking to your site at the end your comments.

We reserve the right to deny commenting privileges of anyone for any period of time for any reason.

Please consider the following statements pertaining to comments posted by you and other visitors to our website:

Appearance of comments, advertisements or hyperlinks made by other commenters on this site do not necessarily indicate or constitute acceptance of or endorsement of the products, companies, corporations, ministries, organizations or agencies in whole or in part by staff members and/or the members of the editorial board of Charisma Media.

Comments are not pre-screened before they post. Charisma Media reserves the right to modify or remove any comment that does not comply with the above guidelines and to deny access of your Disqus account to make additional comments to the website without any notice. If you have been denied access to comment due to a violation of these terms please do not create multiple accounts in an attempt to circumvent the system. The correct course of action is to request a review of your account status by contacting [email protected].

Charisma Media is not responsible or liable in any way for comments posted by its users.

If you believe a comment is in violation of the above guidelines, U.S. law or International treaties, or is legitimate "trolling" please flag the post or contact [email protected]. Include a link to the comment, along with a statement explaining what you believe the violation is and any evidence backing your claim. Charisma Media moderators will consider your request and decide on the most appropriate action.